GlobalFoundries completes acquisition of IBM Microelectronics

GlobalFoundries of Santa Clara, CA, USA (one of the world's largest semiconductor foundries, with more than 160 customers and operations in Singapore, Germany and the USA) has completed its acquisition of IBM's Microelectronics business.

GlobalFoundries says that it gains differentiated technologies to enhance its product offerings in key growth markets, from mobility and Internet of Things (IoT) to Big Data and high-performance computing. The deal also strengthens its workforce, adding expertise in semiconductor development, device expertise, design, and manufacturing. Also, the addition of more than 16,000 patents and applications makes GlobalFoundries the holder of one of the world's largest semiconductor patent portfolios, the firm reckons.

In RF, GlobalFoundries reckons that it now has technology leadership in wireless front-end module solutions. IBM has developed capabilities in both RF silicon-on-insulator (RFSOI) and silicon-germanium (SiGe) technologies, complementing GlobalFoundries' existing mainstream technology. The firm says that it will continue to invest to deliver the next generation of its RFSOI roadmap, aiming to capture opportunities in the automotive and home markets.

In ASICs, GlobalFoundries reckons that it now also has technology leadership in wired communications, enabling it to provide the design capabilities and IP necessary to develop high-performance customized products and solutions. With increased investments, the firm plans to develop additional ASIC solutions in areas of storage, printers and networking. The most recent ASIC family, announced in January and built on GlobalFoundries' 14nm-LPP technology, has said to have been well accepted in the marketplace, with several design wins.

Through the acquisition, GlobalFoundries increases its manufacturing scale with IBM Microelectronics' fabs in East Fishkill, NY and Essex Junction, VT. These will operate as part of the firm's growing global operations, adding capacity and engineers.

Moreover, the transaction builds on the firm's investments in the burgeoning Northeast Technology Corridor, which includes GlobalFoundries' Fab 8 facility in Saratoga County, NY and joint R&D activities at SUNY Polytechnic Institute's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) in Albany, NY. The firm's presence in the northeast now exceeds 8000 direct employees.

The acquisition includes an exclusive commitment to supply IBM with advanced semiconductor processor solutions for the next 10 years. GlobalFoundries also gains direct access to IBM's continued investment in semiconductor research, solidifying its path to process geometries at 10nm and beyond, says the firm.

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